“HOW IT SHOULD BE” – MERCEDES BACKS FIA’S ADUO VERDICT AFTER SURPRISE RED BULL RESULT

The FIA’s ADUO verdict delivered a surprise, placing Red Bull-Ford Powertrains at the top of the rankings. This means Red Bull is the only engine manufacturer *not* eligible for additional development opportunities, a stark contrast to expectations that Mercedes would lead. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff defended the outcome, stating the system is working as intended to prevent a repeat of the 2014 era of engine dominance.

Wolff stressed the verdict is based purely on data from torque sensors, rejecting any political influence. While ADUO tokens can upgrade components beyond just the internal combustion engine, currently only ICE power is measured. Wolff argues against including subjective factors like turbo size, which could lead to a damaging Balance of Performance system. Red Bull has requested a review of the data, with official confirmation still pending. This decision underscores the FIA's commitment to competitive engine parity, setting the stage for more balanced power unit development moving forward.